WVNano Graduate Fellowship Program

 

  • Fellowship Information
  • Application Materials
  • FAQs

The WVNano graduate fellowship program at WVU supports Ph.D. graduate students from under-represented classes in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines to increase STEM diversity at WVU and ensure lifetime career success through comprehensive career training.  Each year, approximately six graduate students will receive a $27,000 fellowship stipend for research in bionanotechnology that support the WVNano Interdisciplinary Research Teams or are related to nano-biotechnology. Some of these exciting research programs include:

(1) rapid, field‐deployable DNA fingerprinting for human and pathogen identification

(2) miniature ultrasensitive toxin and other environmental hazard sensors that do not rely on large laboratory equipment

(3) devices that quickly determine damage to cell functionality. 

The fellowship can be renewed for a second year based on progress.

Application review will begin on a rolling basis on Feb 1 and May 1, 2012. Applications received after May 1, 2012 will be reviewed if there are fellowships still available.

Eligibility:

  • US Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Enrolled as a full time graduate student in a WVU PhD program
  • Must be interested in or already pursuing nanoscience research

Fellows will receive fundamental training in:

  • Interdisciplinary research and technical communication (Fall Seminar: PHAR 794J)
  • Ethics in bio-nanotechnology (Spring online course: C&I 693C)
  • Professional conduct and professional development
  • Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Academy

The program includes a team-building component that provides experiences useful in learning how to achieve team success.  These activities include: real-world problem solving, community and peer mentoring, social events and workshops.

Information on current WVNano Graduate Fellows can be found here.

Student responsibilities during the duration of their fellowship (1 year) include:

  • Full time enrollment in your respective PhD program and completion of other departmental requirements
  • Fellowship duration usually runs from mid-August to the following mid-August (ie., August 16, 2011 - August 15, 2012)
  • Enrollment and participation in the Fall and Spring courses (renewals are not required to take the Spring course)
  • Participation in workshops and activities made available to you, including training involving diversity, professional development, community outreach/service, etc.
  • Attend orientation, usually held before classes start in August
  • Respond in a timely manner (within one week) to requests for surveys and information by the WVNano office
  • Quarterly reports indicating your research progress
  • Other responsibilities will be included in the offer letter if an offer is made

2012 Graduate Fellowship Program application (word, pdf)

*Official transcripts and GRE scores are not required, however, they may be required if the fellowship is offered.

2012 Graduate Fellowship Program flyer

See the tab marked FAQs for frequently asked questions.

Applications and letters of recommendation may be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:

WVNano - Graduate Fellowship Program

886 Chestnut Ridge Rd, PO Box 6223

Morgantown, WV 26506-6223

Phone: 304-293-8281/ Fax: 304-293-6213

wvnano@mail.wvu.edu

Other questions and concerns may be addressed to:

Dr. Aniketa Shinde - WVNano Education and Outreach Coordinator (304) 293-7382

Dr. Lisa Holland - Associate Professor of Chemistry

Frequently Asked Questions:

Information about travel and supplies stipend can be found here.

Q: I am applying for graduate school at WVU for next Fall, can I apply for this fellowship?

A. Yes, after you have been admitted to WVU and accepted the offer, you may apply for the WVNano Graduate Fellowship. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis starting Feb 1 and May 1. Applications received after this date will be reviewed if there are any remaining fellowships available.

Q: I have not yet decided on what type of research I will be pursuing for my PhD, can I apply for this fellowship?

A. Yes, you may apply, however, for a competitive application, your personal statement must include how your research will relate to nano-biotechnology research going on at WVU and you should include a letter of recommendation from a member or leader of one of the Interdisciplinary Research Teams.

Q: My current research is not directly related to nanoscience, can I still apply?

A: Yes, you may apply, however, your personal statement should include how you will contribute to nano-biotechnology research at WVU. Even if your advisor is not directly involved with WVNano or nano-biotechnology related research, you are encouraged to collaborate with others that are involved.

Q: Do you have any suggestions about how to choose a nanoscience related research project?

A: In order to learn more about the nanoscience related research going on at WVU, please read over the Research page and also individual researcher's websites that relate to your PhD program. For example, if you are a Biology PhD student, find a Biology professor that may be involved in nano-biotechnology research. This will allow you to see how someone from your discipline fits into the project and how you may fit in. You can find a list of researchers involved in WVNano on our website as well as research projects that are being pursued. Please also look through the list of recent publications.

Q: What types of facilities are available at WVU for students for nanoscience based research?

A: The WVU Shared Research Facilities provide students and researchers with the opportunity to learn how to use cutting-edge materials science and engineering equipment, including scanning probe microscopy, electron microscopy and clean rooms, to name a few.

Q: I do not personally know any researchers at WVU, how can I go about choosing a nanoscience related project?

A: Please take a look at the link listing faculty at WVU involved with WVNano. Take some time to read about the research currently being conducted and think about how you may be able to contribute or plan to contribute.

Q: Is this fellowship only meant for 1st year graduate students?

A: No. If you are a 3rd or 4th year WVU graduate student and have already been doing nano-biotechnology related research and plan to continue, this may strengthen your application since you will have a strong personal statement and contacts within the Interdisciplinary Research Teams.

Q: Can I speak to current fellows about their experiences and advice? What various disciplines do current fellows come from and what is the research they are pursuing?

A: Information on current and past fellows can be found here.

Q: What are my responsibilities as a Graduate Fellowship Program participant?

A: Responsibilities are listed on the Fellowship Information tab.

Q: What are the IRTs (Interdisciplinary Research Teams)?

A: The WVNano Interdisciplinary Research Teams focus on nano-biotechnology research and are made up of faculty from various departments/colleges and at times various universities within the state. More information can be found here.

Q: Who can I contact for more information?

A: Please contact Dr. Aniketa Shinde, the Education/Outreach Coordinator for WVNano (aniketa.shinde at mail.wvu.edu, 304-293-7382)

Deadline Agency Title About
July/Aug 2011 MRS, NSF MRS Apprentice Science Reporter Program
August

NSF EPSCoR

Conference (Idaho)

Student Poster Contest
Ongoing Dr. Pumera's group, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore International PhD & Post-Doc opportunities
Ongoing The Humboldt Foundation Humboldt Research Fellowship for Postdoctoral Researchers

Aug 2011

Fulbright Fulbright Program Grant Opportunities
Sept 1 UNCF-Merck Graduate Science Research Dissertation Fellowship
Oct 11 NSF Workshop at WVU Science: Becoming the Messenger
Oct 26 ICDD Ludo Frevel Crystallography Scholarship for Grad Students
May/Oct The National Academies Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program
Fall 2011 Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship
Sept 15 MRS Fall Meeting Nov 28 - Dec 2 Fall Meeting Symposium Assistant
Nov 9 NSF East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes for U.S. Graduate Students  (EAPSI)
Nov 21 AACR Minority Scholar in Cancer Research Awards